Wise Grass - DR Stoltzfus

Athlete’s Foot On Your Lawn

Last fall I talked about cutting your grass one more time after it has gone dormant. It is a good idea to drop your cutting deck a bit, just don’t cut shorter than 2”.

In the video we take a look at what happens to grass under snow and ice. Field mice find their way under the ice and sometimes create an entire subway system much like voles do under turf. I don’t worry much about field mice damage. Snow mold is much more of a problem. Penn State University explains that snow mold is a disease caused by the fungus Microdochium nivale.

Snow mold fungi is active at temperatures just above freezing. Grey snow mold is mostly superficial and mows off in the spring. Pink snow mold is more bothersome since it travels down the stem and into the crown if conditions stay just right – or wrong - long enough. The grass plants can actually die and the area will need to be reseeded in spring.

This post on video (5:05)

In summary.

• Fertilize smart in fall and early winter.
• Cut your grass as long as it keeps growing well into winter. After it has stopped growing, wait a week then lower your mower deck and cut it one more time. Never cut grass lower than 2”.
• Pick up all leaves and sticks before snow sets in to eliminate voids under the snow that do not dry well.
• Rake matted areas from snow mobiles and snow piles as soon as the snow melts to help dry the grass stems.
• Reseed areas that die over the winter with robust seed.

Pretty simple.
Don’t overfeed the lawn and keep your socks dry. 

Tweet This Post!

Posted by Paul Stoltzfus on 02/06 at 06:59 AM in Lawn Care